Rotary printing machine



Feb. 25, 1936. .O NIEMAND I 2,08 ,727

, ROTARY :PRINTING MACHINE 'Filed May 11, 1935 Q Q m Q.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to a printing machine. More particularly it relates to a rotary printing press for cylindrically formed hollow objects of various diameter.

In order to place printed material on cylindrical bodies, it is necessary for webs of paper to be first passed between rotary impression cylinders to get the proper printing. After this printing operation, the web is cut to formv labels and the like, and they are adapted for the particular use intended. Such labels, if they are to be placed on tubular or cylindrical bodies, must then be glued thereon. In other types of apparatus, fiat pieces of paper are first printed and then rolled to obtain cylinders or tubular bodies. Such rolls have a spiral shape and uneven surface and restrict their use. In some other cases rubber stamps are used. However, the imprint is blurred and uneven, thus rendering the article practically useless.

Having in mind the defects of prior art rotary printing machines, it is an object of my invention to provide a machine for clearly imprinting cylindrical or tubular bodies.

It is another object of this invention to provide a simply constructed machine for equalizing the pressure on a tubular or cylindrical body during its imprinting in said machine, thereby avoiding any blurring on the surface of the body.

One other object of this invention is to provide an efficient machine having rotary adjustable counterbalancing parts for producing an even printing effect on tubular bodies while they are being rotated to take up the printing thereon.

Still one other object of this invention is to provide means for equalizing the pressure on a tubular body while it is being rotated and simultaneously having its surface printed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention includes a plurality of rotary cylinders whose axes are in the same plane; one of said cylinders being for printing and the other for balancing an adjustable cylindrical printable member held by a rod intermediate the adjacent peripheries of said cylinders. My invention also includes equalizing means in connection with one of the cylinders for taking up the whip of the intermediate rod during the printing of the tubular body thereon; adjustable attached operating means for the rolls, a plurality of ink carrying members for said rotary printing cylinder, and means for adjusting the cylinders and the intermediate rod.

The novel features characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

The invention itself, however, will be best understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing: 5

Fig. l is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig, 2 is a section taken on line. 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and illustrates several features indicated in dotted lines therein; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective fragmental view of a. detail, hereinafter fully described.

Referring to the drawing, in which similar parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout, a suitable base II! of any useful type is provided with a plurality of leg supports H. The table has opposed side bars l2 and spaced cross bars l3, leaving one edge of the table free. Cross bars l3 are fixed to the side bars l2 by any suitable means such as bolts 13.

Mounted on an adjacent pair of spaced cross bars are spaced transverse angle bar members I4 containing drum plates l5 integral therewith, forming end plates. Each of said angle bar members is fixed to the cross bars l3 by any suitable means, such as by bolts 16. End plates [5 have central hub openings 11 to which is journaled a shaft I8. To one end of said shaft is splined a gear wheel [9 connected with a drive gear 20. Said latter gear is splined to one end of a shaft 2! journaled to one of the side bars l2, as shown in Fig. 1. The other end of shaft 2| extends away from said side bar l2 and has journaled thereto a pulley wheel 22 for drive belt 23 which also is mounted on a drive wheel 24 connected to a motor drive shaft 25 of motor 26.

Shaft I8 is also provided with a pair of disc rollers 27, splined thereto, intermediate a pair of end plates [5 as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Said discs are of the same diameter and are rigidly fixed to shaft l8. The opposing faces of the discs are provided with braces 28 for retaining the discs in fixed opposed position dur- 45 ing the rotation of shaft l8. The inner opposed faces of the discs are provided with supporting transverse members 29 set inwardly of the periphery of the discs, for accommodating a cylindrical or arcuate segment 30 fixed to cross mem- 50 bers 29 by means of spaced screws 3| Said segment is part of the periphery of a cylinder and is set slightly out of the periphery of the discs 21. Segment 30 has lineal openings therein for retaining type letters 32 for printing. The letters 55,

are convex in shape and. when pressed against a circular body will produce a circular print as will hereinafter be described. It will be noted that said roller discs 27 as assembled may describe a cylinder and form a printing cylinder or press with a section for type and are rotatable in a direction counter to that of drive gear 20.

In the same axial plane as said roller discs 2'! is another pair of discs 33 and 34 journaled to shaft 35. Said shaft is centrally mounted on spaced end plates 36, which in turn are in vertical connection with adjustable cross bars 3! slidably mounted on side bars l2. Bars |2 at one end have angle iron sections 38 joined at their marginal edge as shown in Fig. 1, forming therewith a groove in which fit the reduced portions 39. It is to be noted that cross bars 31 are in fixed position with respect to end plates 36 and may be slid horizontally by manually operable means 39. Said means have a partly threaded shaft 40 permanently fixed on to a block 4| extending inwardly of bars |2 and are in connection with screw threaded block 42 fixed to the underside of the outer cross bar 31 by means of bolts 43.

Opposed roller discs 33 and 34 are similar in construction, and are provided with braces 44 and supporting cross members 45 for a ballastlng circular segment 46 retained in position between roller discs 33 and 34 by means of screw members 41. Said segment 46 acts as a balancing means and rigid backing during the rotary printing operation, and is so disposed that it will be in opposed position with respect to segment 3|], as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The discs as assembled with segment 46 form a pressure roller or impression cylinder which is rotated by means of gear wheel 48 on shaft 35, being in connection with idler gear 49. Said idler gear is fixed to a shaft mounted on a block 50, preferably riveted to base I0, as shown.

Intermediate roller discs 21, and 33, 34, a mandrel rod 5| is provided, mounted on a block 52, and adapted to be slid on rails 53, and fixed adjacent the ends of inner cross bar 31. Said mandrel is threaded at the end set in block 52 and retained in position therein by means of a hand nut 54. The part 55 of the rod, adjacent the block is of slightly larger diameter and. acts as a limiting stop for the cylindrical member to be printed. It is to be noted that said mandrel rod may be replaced by rods of different diameters depending upon the diameter of the cylindrical object to be printed. The rod furthermore is preferably set in the same axial plane as shafts l1 and of the rollers to permit even printing on the surface of the cylindrical body 56 during the printing operation. The rod at its opposite end is partly tapered and extends away from the front of the machine as shown in Fig. 1, to permit slipping on and removal of cylindrical body 56, during the printing operation.

The free end of rod 5| tends to vibrate during the printing of the cylindrical bodies 56. To avoid this vibration there is provided a tensioned equalizing brace 51 of substantially Y-shape, having rollers 58, 59 and 60, respectively mounted on pins 6| extending from its free ends. Said brace 51 is adapted to slide in and out of a groove formed by a pair of opposed angle bars 62 and 63 jointed to the inside wall of end plate 36 opposite roller disc 33. The brace is forced out toward cylindrical body 56 during the printing of the same by means of a'cam 64 splined to shaft 35. Said cam is adjusted on shaft 35 to operate synchronously with, printing and balancing members 30 and 46 respectively, at the same interval during their rotation. The cam 64 is forced against roller 60 thereby pushing out brace 51 whose rollers 58 and 59 form a rolling abutment with the surface of cylindrical body 56 as shown in Fig. 3, thereby taking out the whip of the mandrel rod and simultaneously permit even printing of the body 56. After the printing of cylindrical body 56, brace 51 is retracted into idle position by means of tensioned spring member 65, whose ends are in connection respectively with the brace 51 and a pin 66 in bar 62.

Free upper portions of end plates l5 and 36 adjacent roller discs 21, 33 and 34 are rigidly fixed by means of brace bars 61 held in position by winged nuts 68 on threaded extensions 69.

In the operation of the machine, a cylindrical body 56 is slipped over rod 5| while brace 51 is away from the rod. Roller printing member 30 is inked by platens 10 receiving ink from fountain 1| fixed to the machine as shown in Fig. 2. During its rotation, member 30 leaves an impression on body 56 whilebalancing member 46 is op,- posed to the member 30. During this operation, cam 64 forces brace 51 outwardly against one end of cylindrical member 56. After the printing operation cylindrical body 56 is removed and a new one is slipped over rod,5|. It is to be noted that drive gear 20 operates roller segment 30, idler gear 49, and the gear for circular segment 46. Members 30 and 46 revolve in the same direction, while circular body 56, idler gear 49 and drive gear 20 operate counterclockwise. The rotary movement of cylindrical body 56 on rod 5| is effected by the simultaneous movement of members 30 and 46 and the slight pressure exerted by them against the circular bodies.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be noted that I have provided apparatus for effectively printing a tubular body in one operation without causing any blurring or distorted imprint on the tubular body. Also, during the printing operation the tubular body is rotated while receiving the print. In the apparatus described, it will be noted that a pair of cylinders are used, one of which has a printing plate thereon extending concentrically therefrom, said plate being in rotary contact with ink feeding platen means. The otherof said press rollers is provided with a pressure segment adapted to: rotate in the same direction as the first cylinder. The circular segment is-so placed in the roller; to afford-a substantially rigid moving backing against which the tubular body is rotated during the printing operation. The tubular body is slipped on a mandrel rod and is left in aligned position thereon by means of a horizontally slidable equalizing brace which is actuated simultaneously with the printing of the tubular body. By this invention, it will be further noted that the printing type on one cylinder acts because of the slight pressure on the tubular body, as a catching means for starting the rotation of the tubular body. Mandrel rods of any desired size corresponding with the inner diameter of the tubular body to be printed may be installed, and the cylinder carrying the balancing or pressure exerting segment may be moved on its tracks by adjustable means 39 to permit printing of a tubular body of any diameter. The printing segment also may be regulated for the new sized tubular body.

While a preferred embodiment, herein has been described in connection with the accompanying drawing, modifications in the use, arrangement and forming a rolling abutment with sections of of parts, construction and manner of operation 'said cylindrical bodies, means on the base for may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. as defined in the ap-- pended claims.

I claim:

1. Printing apparatus, comprising a plurality of spaced rotary cylinders, a base for supporting said cylinders, means on the base for synchronously rotating said cylinders on said base, removable supporting means intermediate the cylinders for holding a cylindrical printable body thereon, and slidable bracing means in connection with one of the cylinders for retaining one end of the cylindrical body on the supporting means in alignment thereon during the printing operation.

2. Rotary printing apparatus comprising a base, a rotary printing cylinder on said base, inking means in connection with said printing cylinder, a spaced balancing press slidably adjustable on said base, actuable means on the base for driving said cylinders, a supporting shaft intermediate the cylinders, a cylindrical printable body rotatable on said shaft for" receiving print from the printing cylinder, and slidable bracing means extending perpendicularly of the printing cylinders for keeping the cylindrical body in alignment on the supporting shaft during the printing operation.

3. Rotary printing apparatus, comprising a base, a rotary printing cylinder with a plurality of type settings on the periphery of said cylinder mounted on the base, a plurality of inking platen rolls for said printing cylinder extending upwardly of the base, means for driving the cylinder, an opposed, slidable rotary impression cylinder in the same axial plane as that of the first cylinder and in driving connection therewith, a slidably adjustable mandrel intermediate the cylinders, a tubular printable body on said mandrel and rotated by the cylinders to receive impressions thereon, and slidable bracing means in connection with one end of the rotary impression cylinder for abutting one end of tubular body to keep the same in alignment during the printing operation.

4. Rotary apparatus for printing tubular bodies, including a base, a rotary printing cylinder mounted on the base and provided with a plurality of type settings, rotatable means for inking the type settings on said cylinder, gear means in connection with the cylinder for driving the same, a rotary impression cylinder slidably mounted on the base and in the same horizontal plane therewith, idling means in connection with the cylinders, said cylinders being rotated in the same circular direction, a replaceable mandrel intermediate the cylinders, means on the base for retaining said mandrel in fixed position intermediate the cylinders, a cylindrical body to be printed, carried by the mandrel, forming abutting rolling contact with the cylinders and rotatable thereby, and bracing means in connection with the impression cylinder for forming a rolling abutment with one end of the tubular body to retain the same in alignment on the mandrel during the printing operation.

In apparatus for printing tubular bodies, the improvement comprising a rotatable cylindrical printing and an impression body arranged in the same horizontal plane circumferentially opposed to each other and adapted to move in the same circular direction, a base supporting said cylindrical bodies, a mandrel intermediate the bodies for retaining a tubular printable body thereon rotating the bodies inunison, and slidable bracing means in connection with one of the cylindrical bodies adjacent one end of the tubular body for keeping the same in alignment on the mandrel during the printing operation.

6. In apparatus for printing tubular bodies, the improvement comprising a base, a rotary printing cylinder provided with a plurality of type settings raised above a section of said cylinder, inking means for said cylinder, driving gears for rotating said cylinder, another rotary cylinder slidably mounted on the base, means for moving said cylinder along the base to adjust the distance between cylinders, a mandrel intermediate the presses, a tubular body on the mandrel, slidable means on the base for retaining the mandrel between the cylinders, a movable brace actuated by one of the cylinders, forming a rolling abutment with one end of the tubular body to be retained in alignment on the mandrel, and means for rotating the cylinders in unison, said tubular body being rotated by its frictional contact with the cylinders.

7. In apparatus according to claim 6, the improvement including means for driving said rotary cylinders in unison, a cam in connection with one of said cylinders, a slidable equalizing brace actuated by said cam forming a rolling abutment against one end of the tubular body to be printed whereby the keep the same in aligned position and take up the whip from the mandrel during the printing operation.

8. Apparatus for printing tubular bodies, comprising a base, a rotatable printing cylinder, with a shaft extending from one end thereof, a gear wheel on one end of the shaft, spaced upright means extending upwardly of the base for holding said shaft in position, means for inking the cylinder, a rotatable impression cylinder, spaced upright means extending upwardly of the base, means for sliding the upright means along the base, a shaft extending axially through the press and journaled to the upright means, a gear wheel on the end of said second shaft, gearing connection for said first and second gear wheels, a mandrel disposed intermediate the cylinders, slidably adjustable means on the base for retaining the mandrel intermediate the cylinders, a tubular body on the mandrel forming rolling frictional contact with the cylinders, a cam journaled to the shaft carrying the rotary impres-' sion cylinder, tensioned slidable means mounted on one of the fixed upright extensions, and actuable by the cam for forming a rolling abutment against one end of the tubular body on the mandrel to permit smooth printing of the body, and means for rotating the cylinders.

9. Apparatus for printing cylindrical tubular bodies comprising a rotary printing cylinder, an opposed, adjustable rotary impression cylinder in the same axial plane having its circumference adjacent that of the printing cylinder, a supporting member intermediate the cylinders and lying in the same axial plane, a cylindrical tubular body carried by the supporting member, making rolling abutment with said cylinders and rotatable thereby, equalizing: brace means in connection with one of the cylinders abutting one end of the tubular body for keeping the same in alignment on the supporting member, and means for actuating said cylinders.

10. In apparatus for printing cylindrical bodies, the improvement comprising a base, a printing cylinder mounted on the base, a spaced impression cylinder parallel with the first cylinder slidably mounted on the base, a frame work on the base for the cylinders, means in connection with the printing cylinder for driving the same, idling means interconnecting the cylinders whereby they are rotated in the same direction, a. mandrel rod slidably mounted on the base, extending intermediate the cylinders for holding a printable cylindrical body thereon, a. cam in connection with the impression cylinder and rotatable therewith, and tensioned reciprocable bracing means on the framework actuable by the cam for contacting the free end of the printable body to retain the same in alignment during the printin: operation.

O'I'IO NIEMAND. 

